Chapter 1

Chapter 1

On my first day in Beauty Lin’s palace,

she told me gently that she would treat me well.

I did not believe her.

The three foster mothers I had before her had said the same thing.

But it had not taken long for them to grow tired of me.

Because they discovered that not only could I bring them no benefits, raising a child instead brought endless trouble.

Beauty Lin did not say much else.

She bathed me herself. But when she lifted my clothes and saw the blue and purple bruises covering my body, her hands stilled.

I felt uncomfortable. I pulled my clothes closed and looked back at her coldly.

Not everyone felt sympathy when they saw my scars.

My third foster mother had cursed my second foster mother viciously at first for abusing me, but before long, when things did not go her way, she put a few more marks on me herself.

Once a porcelain vessel was cracked, it seemed it was no longer worth cherishing.

I was not sure what kind of person Beauty Lin was.

Beauty Lin said nothing. She only asked carefully, “If you don’t want to bathe, then let’s not bathe for now.”

I gave a quiet hum and ignored her.

But in the middle of the night, I was awakened by a sound.

Beauty Lin was carefully turning over my clothes. My heart tightened.

Then I heard Beauty Lin say, “Those beasts… how could they bear to do this to her?”

Her voice was soft and gentle, filled with heartache, like Imperial Mother Consort’s.

I did not move.

She had a maid light a lamp so she could apply ointment to me.

The ointment was cool and soothing, while her fingertips carried a trace of warmth. I held myself back from making a sound.

When she finished applying it to my front,

the maid whispered, “What about her back?”

Beauty Lin said, “I’ll stay here and wait until she turns over, then apply it.”

I wanted her to hurry up and leave, so I pretended to turn over by accident.

The maid was delighted. “Beauty, she turned over.”

Beauty Lin gave a soft sound of surprise, then let out a laugh so quiet it was barely there.

My whole body stiffened. I was not sure whether I should keep pretending to be asleep.

But Beauty Lin said nothing and continued applying the ointment for me.

Once she was done, she said softly, “Good child, sleep early.”

I relaxed and, feeling contrary, thought,

Hah!

I am no good child.

When you discover my true face, you will be shocked.